So, you have made a decision to create a website? That’s the first and most important step, but it’s just the beginning of the process. It sets off a number of decisions you need to make, chief among these being your options related to building the website and finding a suitable web host. But can you make a website without a web host?
The Short Answer: No!
Of course, you can always make a website without hosting it, but if your goal is to have your site published on the Internet, it must be hosted on a web server. So no, you cannot make a website without a host.
Alternatives to Traditional Hosting
The conventional approach to hosting, is subscribing to a suitable plan with a web host. There are alternatives to this though.
1. Running Your Website on Your Own PC
You could build your website and host it on your own computer or server.
Pros
Cons
2. Using Website Builders
Many web hosts will offer a website builder as an extra service when you sign up for any of their hosting plans. There are, however, website builders that have hosting as a bonus benefit.
Pros
Cons
Top Website Builders that Don’t Require Hosting to Work
With the basics of website builders out of the way, here is a look at the best website builders that do not require subscribing to a separate hosting service for them to work.
1. Wix
In operation for over 15 years and host to over 200 million users, Wix takes first place in our top eight for its unusually large set of 900 customizable templates. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to create and customize SEO-ready websites with built-in marketing features and advanced functions.
The site is operational from the get-go and is integrated with meta tags and sitemaps. To get your website operational fast, you can tap into Wix Artificial Design Intelligence, which builds a website quickly after you answer some basic set of questions. All plans include an SSL certificate, free Wix hosting, free logo maker, and, for the paid plans, free domain registration (first 12 months). If you opt for the free plan, your site is hosted on a Wix subdomain.
Customers get 24/7 support through help desk tickets. You can also search its expansive knowledge base for answers to the more common questions. Paid plans have a 14-day money-back guarantee. Pay for your preferred website builder package by credit card.
Official Website
Product depth
Free plan
Premium plan
Number of websites hosted
2. Squarespace
Squarespace places second for being a website builder that doubles up as a content management system (CMS). A convenient drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to build responsive sites from customizable, diverse templates.
For even faster design, you can make specific types of web pages, such as About or Contact Us, that are formed from customizable pre-built layouts. Whether you are looking to make a blog, portfolio website, or eCommerce store, Squarespace aims to help you do so without spending more than you need to.
All plans include unmetered bandwidth, free domain registration (first 12 months), and a free SSL certificate. If you opt for the free plan, your site will be hosted on a Squarespace subdomain.
Customers get 24/7 support through live chat and email. You can also get answers to more common problems from the comprehensive knowledge base, live webinars, and user discussion board. Instead of a money-back guarantee, Squarespace has a 14-day free trial.
Official Website
Product depth
Free plan
Premium plan
Number of websites hosted
3. SITE123
We ranked SITE123 website builder third for its website builder packages that feature dozens of templates and free domain registration (first 12 months). It comes with a website builder wizard that contains dozens of ready-made, customizable templates, and layouts. The end result is an SEO-friendly, responsive website. If you opt for the free plan, your site will be hosted on a SITE123 subdomain.
Customers have access to 24/7 support through live chat. You can search the extensive knowledge base for answers to the most common questions. Pay for your preferred plan by credit card and PayPal. SITE123 has a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Official Website
Product depth
Free plan
Premium plan
Number of websites hosted
4. uKit
We ranked uKit fourth for its packages that feature a drag-and-drop builder and more than 200 templates. All plans also include automatic backups, unmetered bandwidth, free SSL certificate, responsive design, unlimited domains, and unlimited pages.
Customers get 24/7 support through a contact form. This is complemented by an extensive knowledge base that addresses all of the most common questions around the use of uKit. Pay for your preferred plan by credit card and PayPal. All plans (except the Pro plan) have a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Official Website
Product depth
Free plan
Premium plan
Number of websites hosted
5. Weebly
At some point, Weebly was the first service that came to mind when the average person thought of a website builder. We ranked it fifth for the customizable, SEO-ready websites that include lead capture and contact forms. All plans also include a free SSL certificate. If you opt for the free plan, your site will be hosted on a Weebly subdomain. Weebly has been around since 2006, so they do have a successful and long track record behind them.
Customers have 24/7 support via email and live chat. You can get answers to common questions through a large knowledge base and a user discussion board. Pay for your preferred package by credit card and PayPal.
Official Website
Product depth
Free plan
Premium plan
Number of websites hosted
6. Zyro
A service by leading web host Hostinger, we rank Zyro sixth best for crafting plans that create responsive business and personal websites fast. Build your website in under an hour while incorporating elements that grow conversions and search engine visibility. If you opt for the business plan, you get access to an eCommerce platform as well.
All plans include unmetered bandwidth, unmetered storage, free SSL certificate, free email address (first 3 months), free domain registration (first 12 months), free logo maker and free integration with WhatsApp/Messenger live chat.
Customers get 24/7 support through email, live chat, and web form. You can search the large knowledge base for answers to common website-building issues. Pay for your preferred plan by credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and cryptocurrency. Zyro provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Official Website
Product depth
Free plan
Premium plan
Number of websites hosted
7. Web.com
Web.com places seventh for featuring over 150 templates, more than a dozen content blocks, and an emphasis on responsive design. Content blocks are customizable pre-built templates that make building a web page quick and easy.
With each Web.com plan, you have free access to millions of stock images. They also include free domain registration (first 12 months), a free SSL certificate, and daily automatic backups.
For people who are still trying to find their footing online, Web.com is one of the few website builders and web hosts that provides a one-hour free consultation with a seasoned web designer. In case you are looking to create a business site, Web.com files business LLC formation for free (state fees may still apply).
Customers have access to 24/7 support through phone, email, and live chat. You can search for answers to common questions on Web.com’s user-friendly knowledge base. Pay for your preferred plan by credit card and PayPal.
Official Website
Product depth
Free plan
Premium plan
Number of websites hosted
8. Jimdo
Jimdo rounds up our top eight website builders for offering plans that feature responsive design and professional online stores. Not unexpected, given the company has, over the years, earned a reputation for helping micro, small, and medium-sized businesses extract optimal value from their Internet presence.
All plans include free domain registration for the first month or year, depending on the tenure of the plan you have signed up for. Plans also come with a free SSL certificate, a free logo maker, and a library of free images.
Customers get 24/7 support via help desk tickets. A sizable knowledge base provides answers and guides on the more common concerns customers would have. Pay for your preferred plan by credit card. Jimdo offers a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Official Website
Product depth
Free plan
Premium plan
Number of websites hosted
Are these solutions viable
Each of the eight website builders covered here has proven to be a cut above their industry peers. So if you are looking for a viable website builder with hosting options, it is hard to go wrong with any one of these. Still, before settling on one provider, evaluate their features in the context of your own requirements.